Germany’s chances of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics received a huge boost as NBA stars Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman have announced they will play at EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania.
“The break was very short but I would like to help the young German team to have success at the European Championship,” Nowitzki said on the German Basketball Federation website.
“I will now try my best to get top fit and I am looking forward to my time with the guys.”
Nowitzki’s presence in Lithuania from August 31 to September 18 was in question because he played with the Dallas Mavericks until June 12, when he clinched the club’s first NBA title.
The German federation also said that the Los Angeles Clipper center Kaman will also play in Lithuania, where the Germans take on Italy, France, Latvia, Israel and Serbia in Group B.
“It was a lot of fun playing for Germany in 2008. I think I can help the team and believe we can accomplish something good,” said the naturalized American Kaman, who helped to get Germany to the Olympics in 2008 by going through the qualifying tournament.
Both players will join the German team for the SuperCup in Bamberg from August 19-21 and will then finish the preparations with Germany before heading to Lithuania.
“The decision by Dirk and Chris is great for German basketball. It shows how important the national team and playing with the young players is for both of them,” said German federation president Ingo Weiss.
The German team will leave on Saturday for their first training camp in Spain.